Record numbers using London cycle hire scheme

Cycling in London is now more popular than ever, according to figures released by Transport for London, with record numbers taking advantage of the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme.

Cycle hire numbers were up for the fifth quarter in a row - an increase of 10 per cent in 12 months - with a total of 10,023,987 journeys made in 2014, five per cent higher than the previous best figures in 2012.

>>> Barclays Cycle Hire charges to be simplified, 1000 new docking stations planned

Transport for London revealed hires from Waterloo station were up 12 per cent in 2014 to 158,494, something they say suggests more people are using bikes as a viable commuting option.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Last week I announced my final intentions for the new East-West and North-South superhighways. These amazing numbers show how cyclists are becoming ubiquitous in London and prove, if further proof were needed, why we need to crack on with catering for them.

“Barclays Cycle Hire continues to grow in popularity and there can be no doubt that our trusty bicycles have changed the way people get around our great city.”

Ben Plowden, director of strategy and planning for surface transport at TfL, added: “Our aim is to make cycling an integral part of London’s transport network and to be normalised so that anyone can jump on a bike to get to work, to the shops or to discover London.

“Seeing these continuously record breaking numbers of cyclists in London is a great demonstration that our work to make cycling easier and safer, including unprecedented levels of investment, is achieving this aim.”

Christmas Day proved a popular one with cyclists, with almost 40,000 cycle hire journeys made on December 25 as people made the most of the capital's quiet roads.

TfL have announced plans to extend the cycle hire scheme, with further docking stations planned at near Putney Pier, Vauxhall and Tower Bridge, as well as moving east to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.